Slieve Coillte facts for kids
Slieve Coillte (which means "mountain of Coltar" in Irish) is a cool hill located in the south of County Wexford, Ireland. It's the highest spot on the Hook peninsula, standing tall at about 268.5 meters (that's around 881 feet) above the sea!
Many villages are close to Slieve Coillte, like New Ross, Slaught, Cassagh, Gusserane, Campile, Ramsgrange, and Duncannon. On a clear day, you can see the whole Hook peninsula from the top. You can even spot the famous Hook lighthouse, which is one of the oldest working lighthouses in the world!
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Exploring Slieve Coillte
Slieve Coillte is a favorite place for people who love to go hillwalking. Thousands of visitors climb this hill every year.
Easy Paths to the Top
There's a 3-kilometer (about 1.9-mile) road that goes right up to a viewpoint at the top. You can even drive your car up this road, so everyone can enjoy the amazing views without a long walk. From the viewpoint, there's also a shorter 1.3-kilometer (about 0.8-mile) circular path. This path is great for beginners or anyone who wants an easy stroll.
John F. Kennedy Arboretum
On the south side of the hill, you'll find the John F. Kennedy Arboretum. This special park has about 4,500 different kinds of trees and bushes! It covers a huge area of 620 acres (about 251 hectares), making it a fantastic place to explore nature.
A Look Back in Time
At the very top of Slieve Coillte, there's a special stone that remembers an important event in Irish history.
The 1798 Rebellion
This stone tells us about the Rebellion that happened a long time ago. During this time, brave Irish people fought for their freedom. The rebels camped on Slieve Coillte from June 7th to 10th. They chose this spot because it offered an excellent view of other rebel camps in Wexford, like Lacken Hill, Carrigbyrne Hill, Forth Mountain, and Oulart Hill. From the summit, you can see several counties, including Waterford, Carlow, Kilkenny, and Tipperary.
Ancient Stories and Myths
Slieve Coillte also has a special place in old Irish stories.
Cessair's Arrival
Some legends say that this hill is like Ireland's Mount Ararat. It's believed that the very first people to arrive in Ireland landed here in 2242 B.C.! This story tells of a woman named Cessair, who was the granddaughter of Noah. She supposedly came to Ireland to escape a great flood, making her the first person to arrive on the island.
